8. Runar

8

Runar

I stare at the Sixth with my arms crossed. Every member stares back with tense stances. Very little conversation is said and what words are exchanged are hushed. Everyone is holding their breath for the outcome of today.

Varrum has caught up with his five brothers, telling them all about this Hendrick human. They know exactly who is to be blamed for their kind dying. After sticking close to Flora’s side while they figured out a temporary solution to our problem, he’s ready to join everyone in today’s mission. We need him, we need everyone to succeed.

Even without proof, something deep in my gut tells me he is the man who is to be blamed. From the way Jax stiffened up at the realization, I don’t need any other proof.

The human needs to die for his crimes. But first, Jax needs to hear him admit them. She needs to understand that my heavy hand is deserved. I won’t allow her to hate me for killing one of her own.

“You will not harm anyone else,” I tell them all. “The humans will be under our protection, just like all the others. Once this pest is taken care of, they will be sworn into intergalactic law. This is not negotiable. If a single innocent human comes to harm…”

I imagine Jax’s reaction if she witnesses such a sight. My jaw tightens. The way they all straight up, my thoughts must be written all over my face.

I don’t need to say it. The punishment will be death. Even for my kind, blood for blood. We don’t kill unless there is a reason.

Jax lifts away from her spot against the wall, clueless about their reactions. Standing at my side, she cradles the pistol at her hip. For the first time, she looks relaxed. Like the weapon is a part of her, she’s relieved to have it returned to her.

I don’t think she’ll betray us. Not after last night. Even if I do question her loyalty, I refuse to let her meet the others unarmed. The humans are not to be trusted, not even to each other.

“Are you ready to go?” Taking her in, my fingers itch to reach out and touch her again. “I know this may be hard for you.”

“I hate the bastard,” she explains with a frown. I’m not sure what a bastard is, but I’m pretty sure she called me one during our interrogation.

I wonder if she still thinks I am one.

“A war criminal is not someone I’m willing to forgive,” she continues to explain. “We might not have laws when it comes to aliens just yet, but if something like this happened on Earth, I don’t have a doubt he’d be given a death sentence for pulling such strings.”

As we all crowd onto the spacecraft, Jax types in coordinates. While she works, I can’t help but notice Varrum staring at her.

Does he not trust her like I do? I suppose after she spent so much time yelling at him, it may give him a reason or two to not like her.

I can’t change the men’s opinion of her, but I’m sure she will earn their respect once this fight is over.

Varrum notices I’ve caught him and shifts his gaze. Even if I don’t question his feelings for Flora, I feel more relieved when any possible competition isn’t paying her attention.

When she settles down next to me, there’s a new air in the ship. She’s stiff, her expression pointed. Remembering that she is a commander of her crew, I’m sure she’s put her complete focus on completing our mission.

I can’t help but grin at her. For a moment, it breaks her concentration.

“Stop that.” Pursing her lips, she looks away. “What is the plan if things don’t run smoothly? I doubt Hendrick will welcome us with open arms. He hates your kind as much as…” She pauses and frowns. “He hates you. When he learns you’re their leader, he’s going to want you dead.”

“If he chooses not to talk, he will die sooner than planned. If our problem isn’t solved, then we’ll figure out who is to be blamed next. However, I don’t believe we’ll get to that point.”

Her lips form a flat line. “He’s going to call me a traitor. I’m going to lose my position. He’ll paint me in the worst light possible. I was born to lead, Runar. If he survives this, he’s going to do everything in his power to ruin me.”

I will do everything in my power to get her in the position she needs to be. Someone will need to direct the humans once this scum is taken out. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she will be the queen of our people.

Instead of spoiling her on the future, I grunt and nod. I don’t want her getting cold feet.

“Complete the mission and then we’ll figure out what to do next,” I tell her softly. When she nods, I turn my attention to the others and listen to their plan. Always working together, this group is my most elite. When it comes to attacking, they know how to figure out the best routes to take. After Jax gave them what information she could, they’ve been thinking about it long and hard.

Today can’t go wrong. The outcome of our survival depends on their success.

When we arrive, Jax insists on leading. Everyone should recognize her so they hopefully won’t rush to aim their weapons at us. Her explanation makes sense, but I don’t like the thought that she’d be hit first if she were walking in front of me.

The planet is one foreign to us. However, I can guess it’s like all the other planets they’ve tried to take over. They’re all inhabitable in one way or another. Some creatures can last years of breathing in this air. Others, only a few days. What is to say about this one?

Jax leads us to the camp. She lifts her hands instead of drawing her pistol when she is threatened by a few guards standing by the entrance.

My fingers clench and I fight everything within me that screams to kill the men pointing red lasers at all of us. Most aim directly for our hearts like they believe it will make a difference. Thanks to Flora, it may not.

“We’re here to see Hendrick,” she explains in what I would consider the calmest voice I’ve ever heard her speak in.

For a moment, I’m distracted. I can’t help but like the tone. Like a rumble that itches the right part of my brain. Now is not the time for that.

Another beam of red is pointed at me, no longer on Jax. I relax a bit. I’m the biggest of the bunch, one to be preserved more of a threat.

They’d be right.

I hold a hand up, motioning to the others to play along. No need to make these humans trigger-happy. Not when they’re already itching to see our blood spill.

“You should not be here,” one of the humans calls to her. “You need to turn around.”

And there goes Jax’s calm demeanor. An all-to-familiar look of anger fills her eyes. The same look that makes it easy to smile whenever she points it in my direction.

She doesn’t care about the guns. Like she feels like she’s invincible, she leaves my group much to my dismay. Approaching the human who dares deny her access, I watch her pull out what I assume is her identification.

“You will allow us access,” she seethes. “All of us. They come in peace. I’m here for business.”

When he attempts to double down, he grunts when Jax shoves him back. She may not be their captain, but the disrespect to someone in her position is nothing but a spit in her face. No wonder why she’s seeing red.

“I’m sure Hendrick is aching to see me after I went rogue,” she all but growls. “Are you going to open the door or is the risk of disrespecting me worth it?”

I feel the men at my back staring at me. I must be smiling. What can I say, I’m in deep. When she’s commanding like this, I’m a goner. Hell, even my cock is hard watching her make demands.

The men guarding the camp look at each other before the doors open. Someone on the inside must have noticed our arrival.

Jax motions us to come. She’s looking unhappy, far too insulted by the interaction. She’s muttering more curses as we rejoin her.

We all move as one. The camp is guarded well with many humans all wearing the same designs. The mixtures of greens clash with the sounding colors of purple of the planet and the plants. Jax doesn’t stop walking, she leads us straight to a large tent. One I’d consider impressive in size.

“This is it,” she mutters at my side. “He hardly ever leaves this place.”

I turn to the others and straighten up. “Remember my words. You will all stay out here and make sure these humans don’t get any funny ideas.”

They salute, a silent promise to keep order.

“You don’t have to come with me,” Jax argues when I keep close. “Hendrick is an asshole, but he’s one I’ve dealt with for years. I can handle myself and question him.”

“I’m coming,” I tell her, my words final.

Rolling her eyes, she nods and leads me inside the tent.

There are more armed men with a large table that looks like it’s used to talk out battle plans. Right in the middle sits an older man, wrinkled from his years of experience. He looks as unhappy to see us as we see him.

My fingers curl at my sides and the craving to spill red grows more and more.

Dealing with the healer, with Flora was one thing. She helped create the poison without knowing. This bastard is the one who gives the order to spread it.

Hendrick looks at me in disgust. The way his lip curls, it’s like he smells something disgusting. If he wants to insult me without using a single word, he’s succeeded.

“To think you’d be willing to lead not only one of these freaks in here, but an entire group.” He peels his eyes away and points his attention to Jax. “First, you go and disobey a direct order. Then you pull a stunt like this.” His chair creaks as he sits up. “I could have you killed just for that.”

He speaks so calmly about killing my mate like her death means nothing to him.

Like she can feel the rage growing within me, she turns and looks my way. Without a word, a look of reassurance goes a long way. She mouths it’s okay to ensure I won’t start ripping heads off of shoulders before she faces Hendrick again.

“This fighting needs to stop,” she says calmly. “We are fighting each other for all the wrong reasons.”

The older man gets up from his seat and circles the table. Unlike the men who are nervously holding their weapons, he’s not scared to eliminate some space between us. He rests against the table and crosses his arms across his chest.

“You’re siding with them now?” He looks between us, his nose scrunching. “One day with them and they’ve got you turned on your own kind. Acting disobedient is normal when it comes from you. Though, I’d never paint you as a traitor.”

That’s rich coming from this guy. How can he think to judge Jax when his hands are covered in innocent blood?

Noticing the way Jax stiffens up at his claim, I’m surprised. She was doing so well. Is his opinion of her that important?

Jax is shaken for only a moment. Her expression shifts and her frown returns.

“I may have sided with the enemy, but at least I am doing it with the right mindset. I’m trying to give us a chance at survival. Fighting these guys is promising our deaths in the end.” Mocking him by doing the same posture, she tilts her head. “What about you, Captain?”

His eyes narrow. “What about me?”

“When did you order Flora’s team to create a bio-weapon?” She asks, getting straight to the point. Asking when instead of allowing him to lie, my chest warms. She believes he’s as guilty as I do. “When did you decide it’s okay to kill those who don’t want to fight?”

Waiting for any attempt to deny her claims, my jaw grits when this human laughs. Laughs. Like he finds amusement in her anger. Like he finds amusement in all the pain we suffered.

He looks my way once more, his mouth curving into a grin. Shifting his hands to his hips, I notice the weapon strapped to his hip. A wordless threat, I’m sure.

If I were to launch at him, does he think he can unholster that weapon in time to take me out? How confident is he that I won’t immediately heal?

All these questions leave me wondering where all this confidence comes from. If he’s the puppet master, he must be equipped with something more lethal.

“I’ve always concerned myself with the well-being of our kind. When threatened, it can’t be a surprise to be willing to do what others won’t. That’s what separates a strong-willed leader from the rest.” Claiming Jax couldn’t possibly understand, he snorts when her hand grips her pistol. “That’s what separates me from you if we want to get down to the nitty-gritty of it.”

“I’ve spent months fighting them under the impression that they started this war.” Her voice cracks, catching my attention. “I followed you because everyone always claimed how respectable you were. I’ve killed people that should still be living because you ordered it.”

“And you requested ammunition box after box after every fight.” He rolls his eyes at the show of her emotions. “You perceive me to be the bad guy, but as the one commanding those to fight, you helped our people thrive. You know our survival goes above everything.” His smirk leaves his lips as his eyes narrow. “The very same people complimented your dedication to the cause. What will they think when they learn you’ve been swayed so easily? Tell me, what could they have possibly offered you to make you turn? Was it to save that doctor, or could it have been something else?”

When he looks at me in disgust and nods toward his men, I feel two barrels nudge my back. Too distracted by his insults, I lowered my guard enough to let them get closer.

Before Jax can pull out her pistol to make an end to this pointless conversation, there’s the piercing sound of a shot outside. By the time I turn back to look, more bullets are flying. Some shots penetrate the tent, leaving holes to reveal outside.

These humans are fighting my men. I knew they wouldn’t be able to help themselves. All they know how to do is destroy.

Looking away for only a moment, it’s a brisk moment of weakness as Hendrick takes full advantage. By the time I look back, he’s grabbed Jax. They’re rolling in the dirt while he attempts to disarm her.

My Rhis.

Baring my teeth, I take a step before another shot fires close enough that my hearing is full of high-pitched ringing. What’s worse is the burning sensation gripping at my side.

It’s a pain I’ve never experienced. Like my skin is being eaten away one inch at a time. Even the blood that spills from the wound burns like acid as it soaks my gear.

Hearing my name cried out, there is another blow to my leg and I stumble forward, taking a knee. Something important must’ve been hit because I can taste blood on my tongue. Something is wrong.

I’m not healing. Despite my Rhis being only a few feet away, I’m not healing.

Blinking through the shock of pain ringing through my system, I look toward the woman I’m meant to be protecting. The one who should be tucked away safely at my side.

Jax might not be able to spar with me on even grounds, but she stands on better ground with her kind. However, instead of putting up a fight, she’s looking at me . Her eyes are sound, a foreign expression on her face.

“Don’t hurt him!”

Desperation. Panic. Fear.

Startled by my current state, she grunts when her head is slammed against the ground. Cursing Hendrick as he presses a knee against her back to keep her down, he looks less bothered.

If he kills her, it really won’t be anything different to him. He grabs her wrists before she can try to reach for her pistol.

Inhaling sharply, I ignore all the pain. Their poison bullets might be able to take me down, but Jax needs to be safe.

I can’t lose the woman. If I do, there’s no point in living anyway. I need her.

One step forward and their captain jerks to look at me.

“Think about attacking, and we’ll see how these new bullets affect a human,” he growls, immediately causing me to freeze.

I couldn’t imagine letting her experience this pain. Watching her skin eat away and imagining her screams and pleas to be killed would forever haunt me to my grave. Even now, her groans feel like a blade to my stomach.

The sounds of battle remain outside, clashing with the intense environment inside this tent.

“Always acting so strong, like you’re better than anyone else,” Hendrick spits as he bends her arm when noticing her fighting spirit is burning hot. “You’ve been a pain in my ass ever since they promoted you. Now look at yourself, distracting yourself over this freak’s well-being to consider protecting yourself. What a joke. I never understood how you got to this position in the first place.”

As she tries to fight back, the look of misery is written all over her face.

I don’t want her to look at me. I want her to focus on the mission.

“The way you care about him isn’t some sort of alliance. No, this runs deeper. If I have to guess, you’ve fornicated with the enemy, haven’t you?” He clicks his tongue as he shakes his head. “Now I won’t be surprised if you spent a little time on your knees to get your ship. Disgusting.” Spitting on the ground next to her cheek, his hold on her limbs tightens.

“Fuck you,” she spits back. “Just wait until you get what’s coming to you.”

“Once a loyal dog, you’ve become all bark. You’re useless to us now, Commander. But don’t worry, I’m sure I will easily find someone more fitting to replace your position. For now, I’m going to enjoy returning some of the pain you’ve caused me over the years of being in service.”

Once more, I’m reminded of the difference between Jax and me. Her limbs are thin. No matter how strong she is, her arm gives out beneath the weight of his hold.

I hear the break before a cry ripped from her throat fills the room. Her pain hits me hard and it’s like I feel it myself. Hot tears roll down her cheeks and she doesn’t beg him to stop. She looks so angry, I share her rage.

A roar leaves my lips loud enough to make the men surrounding us jump.

Hendrick is grinning. He’s enjoying every minute of this.

I’m going to kill him. I’m going to make him choke on his blood.

Silent promises fill my thoughts as I try to get up. My body is on fire and not working on the same tune as these murderous thoughts. It’s a struggle at first but another cry from Jax has my blood boiling. Be it the poison or not, I can’t just watch this. Even if I risk taking another lethal dosage of this poison, I need to do something.

Everyone is so distracted by such an extreme sight that they don’t notice the new company behind us. I don’t even realize until an arrow comes sailing across the room. Two others join hitting the men at both my sides. The third hits Hendrick in the shoulder.

I don’t need to look behind me to know Varrum is the one behind the distraction. The master at the bow, he’s the only one I’ve met to shoot multiple arrows at once with such precise aiming.

I’m on my feet. There’s no hesitation as I make my way to the two on the ground. I’m seething. Anyone who stands in my way gets thrown to the side.

A bullet grazes my shoulder as one of the humans misses their next shot. Only seconds later, he’s hit with an arrow.

I keep moving, my eyes set. Unrecognizable noises escape through my bared fangs. Animalistic ones that come out from deep within me.

Hendrick has killed my people. He’s harmed my Rhis. No more.

I don’t listen to his curses. I don’t hear anything but the blood rushing through my ears as I rip him off of Jax. If whatever she’s mouthing is telling me to stop, I can’t.

As easily as he snapped her arm, I squeeze his throat and quickly discover what different colors a human can turn when they don’t get the oxygen they desperately need.

There’s another blow to my stomach. He’s shot me up close and I feel the bullet tear its way through my core. The pain is numb compared to the high I get from hearing him choke.

I snap his neck without meaning to as my grip grows. I’m not satisfied with just a break once I feel his head slacken against my hold.

A snarl leaves my lips as I separate his head from his shoulders. The warmth of his blood taints my dark skin. Disgusted by his quick death, I drop both parts, crush his head beneath my boot, and snarl my own set of curses as I look down at his lifeless form..

By the time I can think and feel again, I realize I’m breathing heavily. My body is shaking. I’m ready to kill everyone who watched Hendrick and didn’t think to stop him. Bloodthirsty, I’m ready to get my revenge. All of this time being forced to sit back and watch without getting involved, I can’t wait another minute.

I need this.

Then there’s Jax. She’s moved to sit up, clutching her broken limb. I realize what she’s trying to say is my name.

“Runar,” she tries again, her brows bunched together. Her skin is pale and clammy from the pain. Even now, she’s focusing her concern on me more than herself. “ Runar. It’s okay.”

It’s not. She’s in pain and it’s my fault. I allowed her to get grabbed. I allowed Hendrick to hurt her.

The ground is wet when I fall to my knees.

The only thing to pierce my blood thirst is the anger I feel over myself.

“Runar,” she whispers again, her eyes welling with more emotions I never want to see again.

I need to heal her. Despite whatever poison is coursing through my body, I need her to live.

There’s another shot behind us and I turn to see Varrum has been hit. Directly in the chest, his body struggles to heal, just like mine. Just when I think I’ll watch another human die, my body tightens when I watch him pull out a round weapon. The kind that explodes.

Twisting around, my immediate thought is to cover Jax. No matter what happens, I’ll heal her. She’s my Rhis.

The sound of the explosion hits my ears before the heat touches my back.

In a matter of seconds, everything hurts. My back burns and my heart races as I listen to Jax continue to call out my name.

I doubt anyone in the tent can survive the blast. My thoughts are confirmed by the silence creeping in after.

Taking in Jax, my breath catches. She’s blinking, her eyes wet. Wordlessly, her mouth moves from shock.

We’ve both been poisoned. I feel her pain deep in my soul. Pain that could’ve been avoided.

Hugging her close to my chest, I’m only able to apologize to her. Apologize for letting it get to this point.

Then, I use my head and think.

No matter what happens, I need to figure out how to heal us before we lose this fight.